Development &

Growth

Brainstorm a definition

of development.

What does it include?

What is development?

Development is..

the constant process of change that begins at conception and ends at death; it includes both

growth and decline towards death.

What does the term development mean?

Development is a progressive series of orderly, predictable changes in the complexity of an individual from conception until death.

Development always occurs in the same order for all individuals; however, it does not always occur at the same rate for all individuals.

* Development is cumulative, that is, development that occurs in the future is dependant upon development occurring in the past.

Growth V’s Development

Growth – type of growth and speed at which it occurs varies within certain stages of the lifespan.

Eg. Organs and systems getting bigger in size.

Development – more complex and qualitative change that relates to our physical, social, emotional and intellectual state and capacities; more difficult to measure and quantify.

Characteristics of development

Development occurs at a physical, social, intellectual and emotional levels.

Development in these areas occurs simultaneously, and progress in one area often leads to development in another.

Physical development

Intellectual development

Emotional development

Social development

Physical Development

refers to changes in the complexity, structure and function of the body.

Physical development includes growth.

Some of the changes that occur as part of physical development include:

the changes in weight and size that usually occur during the first 15 to 20 years after birth;

changes in body composition;

changes in production of hormones.

Physical Development

Know the Signs Part 1 - Physical Development Milestones.mp4

Physical Development Gross and Fine motor skills occur.

Fine motor skills:

Control over the smallest muscle groups.

Eg?

Gross motor skills: Movements that involve large muscle

groups Eg?

Gross and Fine Motor Skills.mp4

Intellectual Development

• refers to changes in mental skills and abilities.

• involves the capacity to learn information, understand concepts, remember, think logically, reason, be creative and imaginative, and solve problems.

• For example: the development of language skills.

Intellectual Development

Emotional Development

• refers to the capacity to recognise, express and control feelings and emotions.

• we gain greater control over our emotions, the way emotions are expressed increases, and we learn ways of expressing emotions in socially acceptable and appropriate ways.

Emotional Development • The development of self-concept

and self-esteem are important parts of emotional development.

• Self concept: refers to the set of perceptions or beliefs that a person uses to describe a sense of self.

• Self esteem: refers to how we feel about ourselves, which might be on a continuous scale from positive to negative.

Emotional Development

Social Development refers to changes and improvements in people’s

abilities to interact with others, relate to other people and learn to live in social groups. The relationships a person has with others are central to social development.

For example: the use of language, both spoken and written; social interactions; interacting with friends and family

Socialisation is an important component of social development. Socialisation is the process by which we become aware of and

learn the patterns of behaviour expected by a culture or society – how to live in society

Know the Signs Part 2 - Social_Emotional Development Milestones.mp4

Social Development

Know the Signs Part 2 - Social_Emotional Development Milestones.mp4

Summary of types of development

Physical development Changes in our

Size

Shape

Overall body structure

Intellectual development Changes in our

• Ways of thinking

• Ability to solve problems

• Reasoining abilities

Emotional development Changes in our

feelings & moods

How and when these are expressed

Social development Changes in our ability to interact with

Family

Friends

Authority figures, etc

How are these individuals displaying the inter relationship between the

developmental dimensions?

Interrelationship within dimensions of development

Interrelationship within dimensions of development

In pairs or small groups, choose an example of where the dimensions of development interrelate.

Develop a role play to demonstrate this inter relationship between two or more types of development.

Interrelationships Between Health and Development

• The interrelationship between health and development is

very complex;

• Optimal health requires optimal physical, social,

emotional and intellectual development;

* Optimal development requires optimal physical, emotional

and social health.

Physical health

E.g.

10 year old boy who may be:

underweight; tired; body systems not functioning correctly; malnourished

Which may influence

Physical development:

Eg?

Social development:

Eg?

Emotional development:

Eg?

Intellectual development:

Eg?

Stages of the

Lifespan

Stage of Lifespan

Age Range

Prenatal Conception – birth

Infancy Birth – 3 years

Childhood 3 – 12 years

Youth 12 – 18 years

Adulthood Early adulthood 18 – 39 years

Middle adulthood 40 – 64 years

Late adulthood 65+ years

1. Can you think of some milestones or events that occur at EACH stage of the lifespan? Share your ideas with a partner.

2. Complete Activity 1.9 (p. 21)

Principles of Development There are a number of principles or “rules” that apply to our understanding of how development

occurs in humans.

Development requires change

Early Development is

essential for late

development

Development equals

maturation and learning

General pattern of

development is predictable

Individual differences

in development

1. Development requires change.

Obviously development involves change. The major changes that occur over the lifespan

are: • Changes in physical size, such as height &

weight • Changes in body proportions ie: an infant’s

head makes up a larger proportion of the overall body mass than an adult’s

• Changes to features. Some appear, some disappear eg: types of speech & language used, baby teeth

Principles of Development

2. Early development is essential for late development.

What occurs during the early stages of our development sets the foundation for all future development.

The earliest development begins at conception.

Principles of Development

3. Development equals maturation plus learning.

Maturation – process whereby a person gradually realises their genetic potential. It is commonly used to describe development because it has a lot to do with the way we function.

Learning involves relatively permanent acquisition (or modification) of certain behaviours, usually through interaction with the environment.

Maturation influences the ability to learn ie: if we are not mature enough to learn, then we are not ready to learn.

Principles of Development

4. The general pattern of development is predictable.

Principles of Development

Principles of Development

Developmental Laws Explanation

Cephalocaudal law

Development occurs from top of body, down to the bottom ie: from head to toes. eg: an infant learning to crawl must first be able to raise head & upper body, using neck first, then arms. Very little leg movement initially. Gradually control will be gained over leg muscles and eventually the infant will be able to coordinate these muscles so that crawling is possible.

Proximodistal Law Development takes place from the centre (inside) of the body and extends outward to the body’s periphery. eg: crawling (again) – musvle development is at first in the trunk of the body – these muscle are important for breathing, digestive processes, etc. Once these muscles are developed, legs & arms follow.

A percentile chart is a graph representing these “norms” for growth in height & weight for a given population.

On these charts a series of lines allows the individual to be compared o “normal” development statistically.

Principles of Development

5. There are individual differences in development.

Although we all follow a general pattern, there is also individual variation.

Differences relate to rate & timing of development.

Genetic influences are mainly responsible for these variations, but environmental factors also need to be considered eg; prolonged illness.

Principles of Development

Development requires change

Physical size

Body proportions

Some features appear & others disappear

Early development is essential for later

development

Later development is based on foundations that have been established & consolidated during early development

Development equals maturation plus learning

Maturation – gradually realising genetic potential

Learning – relatively permanent acquisition (& modification) of behaviours

The general pattern of development is predictable

Cephalocaudal Law

Proximodistsl Law

There are individual differences in development

Rate

timing

Summary of the Principles of Development